Tag Archives: law and order uk

Slid back into its slot for one last time after an absence of several weeks, the momentum had been somewhat lost since the dramatic events of the previous Law and Order episode, in which Wes was killed and DS Ronnie Brooks faced a struggle coming to terms with events.

In this episode (which has now been confirmed as the last, as Bradley Walsh is leaving the role), the force faced a particularly challenging case of a stabbing committed by a fifteen year old caught up in the dark world of street gangs.

Various mishaps, including insufficient forensic evidence and a particularly rottweiler duty solicitor, led to the prime suspect being released without charge twice, an injustice which began to affect Ronnie significantly given the lads’ constant taunts of him. As events came to a head and a gang of youths ended up being searched for knives, Ronnie claimed that the suspect made a gloating confession about the murder. We did not see this happen, but we did not have to as no viewer doubted Ronnie’s honesty. This is a character who has developed and led eight series of this drama and there was never any questions with the audience over who was telling the truth. Continue reading →

Nestled inconspicuously in the midweek 9pm slot, Law and Order UK is one of TV’s constants. Already eight seasons in, it’s a subtle staple of the schedules that rarely fails to deliver on all fronts. The format is quick and snappy, derived from a USA counterpart and, at times, the fast paced stories can seem rushed and contrived. However, the knowledge that a resolution to the mystery will become clear within the hour timeslot and we will see the plot unfold from the crime to the verdict and often beyond, is comforting.

Law and Order UK does not pretend to be anything other than an hour of entertaining and easy to follow drama. There is no pretension here; a crime is committed, every character we meet will undoubtedly have played some vital part in the story (there is simply no time for many red herrings) and the police are a little bit too sharp in situations where the resolution can stretch the imagination. It doesn’t matter though; take Law and Order UK for what it is, and the hour flies by.

It is a little idealistic, usually painting the police and the prosecution team as heroic mavericks desperate only for the truth come out. Similarly, defence lawyers are painted as snarling and sneaky villains, searching for a loophole to get their crook off the hook. It’s a premise that works so long as you aren’t looking for a documentary. Continue reading →

As far as crime dramas go, Law and Order UK (it’s been given the added UK title because we stole it from our cousins across the pond, and why not? They stole The Office), may not be as dark and thoroughly harrowing as Trial and Retribution or Rebus. Thankfully neither is it as ludicrous and weak as Midsomer Murders. It’s more middle-of-the-road crime drama, enough to keep you interested, but not enough to give you nightmares.

It features the wonderful Bradley Walsh, whom surely no one could dislike – no matter whether he was playing a funny dad in a sitcom or a stark raving mad serial killer, he would still come across as a really lovely bloke. Bradley plays DS Ronnie Brooks, hard working copper, slightly dishevelled, former alcoholic, he is easily the best character in the show. His partner DS Matt Devlin (played by Jamie Bamber) is the young, good looking and quiet half of the duo. For some reason, though, this series JB has been sporting a very dodgy hairdo, bordering on bouffant with a bizarre flick at the front of his head. I must admit this made my admiration for him go down quite a few notches, that and the fact that he’s been acting like a bit of a wimp in the past few episodes. Coppers don’t cry do they? Anyway, my admiration

Who are you calling a wimp?

for wimpy Jamie soon shot up again when my friend’s daughter introduced me to some photos of JB on Google Images. WOW! Cheers, Caitlin, you have renewed my interest in Law and Order, even if it is just in case one week the storyline involves JB having to remove his shirt!

The first half of the programme centres on the crime and the investigation by DS Brooks and DS Devlin (calm down, girls), mainly, it seems, by them having discussions about the on-going investigation in the busy streets of London while carrying around (obviously empty) take away coffee cups. Then they go and discuss the case with the boss lady, DI Natalie Chandler, played by the fabulous Harriet Walter (who, incidentally, is the niece of Christopher Lee). Alas she also seems to have not been allocated an office despite her high rank and conducts her meetings with Brooks and Devlin in corridors, highly populated streets, or in doorways of what I presume are other peoples’ offices. Now I hate to be dramatic, but if, God forbid, I was ever the victim of a crime I would hope my case would be discussed in slightly more confidential surroundings than Oxford Street.

Anyway, despite the lack of suitable meeting rooms or anywhere with a desk and chair, they always get the baddie and we move onto the next part of the show, Order. This consists of the Legal team headed by James Steel (Ben Daniels) spending the first five minutes trying to convince his boss George Castle (Bill Patterson), that the case is strong enough against the criminal to stand up in court. Then there’s usually an ad break and they take said baddie to court. After several more open confidential discussions on the busy streets of London, with even more empty coffee cups in hand, James Steel and his partner Aleesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman) start to build a case. Then after pulling an all-nighter in the office (yes – an office!) they discover a willing witness, or a blast from the baddie’s past shows up to give yet more damning evidence and that’s it…in the dock, guilty verdict and down they go!

So despite the fact that every week the format is the same but with a different crime and a different investigation, the show does work and it does keep you watching. But even though I now know that despite the bouffant hair and the recent blubbering, underneath Jamie’s shirt is the body of an Adonis, it’s still Bradley that makes the show work for me!